23 Aug 2015

After two turgid performances in a row, Liverpool could do with an injection of new blood, and if this week's training photos are anything to go by, two of the club's young oft-ignored players are in contention for a place in Monday's match-day squad.

As the following photos show, bot Tiago Ilori and Joao Carlo Teixeira trained with the first team this week:

It'd be a nice surprise to see either player make the bench for the Arsenal game, but given Rodgers' apparent aversion to both players, it's unlikely to happen.

Teixeira, in particular, deserves a chance, but for whatever reason, Rodgers just doesn't rate him, and no matter how well he performs, he's probably not going to get a chance.

Consider the following:

* Teixiera grabbed two assists in 45 minutes of football during Liverpool's first pre-season game against Thai All Stars.

* Did Rodgers reward Teixeira for his effective performance? NO. He inexplicably ignored the Portuguese attacker for the next four games.

* Teixeira played against Swindon, but only because Joe Allen went off injured after 13 minutes. He wasn't even in the official match-day squad for the game, yet he grabbed another assist during the game.

* The Portuguese also scored a goal in a 7-0 friendly victory against Felda United, to end preseason with 1 goal/3 in 152 minutes of football (goal/assist every 38 minutes - the best attacking ratio in the pre-season squad).

* He has also continued his good form into the new season, grabbing a goal and an assist for U21s this week.

What else does Teixeira - nicknamed the 'new Deco - have to do to earn a spot on the bench?

If, by some miracle, Rodgers gives Teixeira a chance, where will he play? My preference:

-------------- Mignolet

Clyne ----- Lovren - Skrtel ------ Gomez

------------ Lucas - Henderson

---- Teixeira - Coutinho --- Firmino

---------------- Benteke

OR:

-------------- Mignolet

Clyne ----- Lovren - Skrtel ------ Gomez

---------------- Lucas

------- Henderson -- Teixeira

-------------- Coutinho

------- Firmino

---------------- Benteke

-------------- Mignolet

Clyne ----- Lovren - Skrtel ------ Gomez

------------ Lucas - Henderson

---- Teixeira - Coutinho --- Firmino

---------------- Benteke

As for 'super-quick' Ilori - he's s^*t outta luck. Either Toure or Sakho will make the bench ahead of the £7m signing, and with Liverpool trying to keep Sakho sweet, there's no chance of Rodgers embarrassing the Frenchman by including Ilori ahead of him in the squad.